Automatic Pallet Sorting Systems with Machine Vision and Robotics
INDUSTRY:
Food Industry
TYPE OF WORK:
Conceptual design, design validation, analysis, and design for manufacture (DFM)
The best part about working with Enginuity was that they understood exactly where I was coming from as a startup entrepreneur and provided what we needed in just 6 weeks. Everyone was blown away by the speed and accuracy. [Since] we make decisions based on information, we got that information faster than we anticipated, which means that we can go faster. That’s business, that’s start up, that’s innovation.
Blain Edwards
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Unbound Chemicals
About the client
Unbound Chemicals
Unbound Chemicals is a startup from Newfoundland developing technology to manage and recover valuable pharmaceutical waste. Founder Blaine Edwards aimed to automate the sorting of expired pills from pharmacies, a task that is time-consuming when done manually.
Understanding the problem
The Challenge
Manually sorting expired pills is labor-intensive and inefficient. Blaine Edwards sought a technological solution to automate this process to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Solving the challenge
The Solution
Our Robotics and Automation Team developed a proof of concept within two weeks, demonstrating the feasibility of using machine vision and robotic handling to sort medications. Further tuning over the next few weeks ensured accurate identification and sorting of pills by shape, size, and color. A delta robot then placed the sorted pills into appropriate bins for easy re-processing and recovery.
Enginuity’s object detection software applied advanced filters to parse discrepancies in pills based on color, size, and glare. The software utilized HSV color extraction and shape search functionality to identify and sort the pills accurately, even in varying environmental conditions. The system achieved a sorting rate of 43 pills per minute, with potential for higher throughput with advanced equipment.
Summarizing the outcome
The Conclusion
In just a matter of 2 weeks, we provided the proof of concept Unbound Chemicals needed, showcasing a system that rapidly and accurately sorts pharmaceutical waste. This successful project lays the foundation for future collaborations and applications in various industries and processes.
Key Takeaways
Automated Sorting
Developed a machine vision and robotic system for efficient sorting of pharmaceutical waste.
Rapid Development
Delivered proof of concept and refined system within six weeks.
Enhanced Efficiency
Enabled Unbound Chemicals to make faster business decisions with accurate and timely information.
Applying Know-Hows of Automatic Packaging and Pallet Sorting to other Industries
The Unbound Chemicals project showcases our ability to enhance sorting and automation processes using machine vision and robotics. By developing a system to automatically sort pharmaceuticals, we can help achieve significant improvements in efficiency and accuracy.
The strategies implemented can be adapted to improve:
- Automatic Sorting Systems: Optimize sorting and packing processes for fruits, bottles, mail, and other products.
- Automatic Packaging and Palletizing Systems: Enhance packaging efficiency and streamline palletizing tasks.
- Quality Control Automation: Improve inspection and quality control across various production lines.
- Component Sorting and Assembly: Automate sorting and assembly processes for various industries, including electronics and medical devices.
- Recycling and Waste Management: Efficiently separate recyclable materials and waste.
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